THE Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin is set to compliment the federal government’s programme of eradicating the menace of out-of-school children through a comprehensive school feeding intervention programme where pupils are enrolled in school, fed and supported to continue their education.
The Director General of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, made this disclosure on Sunday at the 2021 Nelson Mandela (International) Day (NMD) held at the Institute’s premises in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
The United Nations (UN) had in November 2009 declared July 18 every year as Nelson Mandela Day to mark the birthday anniversary of the first non-racial democratically elected former South African President, Dr Nelson Mandela. The Day honours Mandela’s 67 years of public service to humanity, 27 years out of which he spent at Robben Island, a maximum security prison, for fighting against the racist Apartheid government in South Africa considered as crime against humanity. The racist regime came to an end on 10th May 1994, when Mandela was inaugurated as President.
The high point of the maiden edition of Mandela Day at the Institute was the feeding and certification of 35 students of some public schools in the host community, Olulande, where MINILS is located.
Comrade Aremu, while commemorating the theme of this year’s Mandela Day, which is; “One Hand Can Feed Another,” said the management of MINILS was inspired to join the progressive community the world over to hold a banquet and inspire 35 students of secondary schools from within its host community as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Comrade Aremu said in extending care to the students, the Institute “dutifully compliments the globally acknowledged social protection measures of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in feeding Nigerian children and protecting them in schools against banditry.”
He decried what he called “weaponization” of education by bandits who kidnapped students and teachers alike, adding that the late iconic leader, Nelson Mandela, was right to say that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
MINILS, the Director General said, would partner with the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to realise the vision to achieve the target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030 through education of youths in skills for employability.
“Youths without education and skills are potential bandits. Youths with education and skills are nation-builders,” Comrade Aremu said, as he urged state governments and security agencies to re-dedicate themselves to the Safe School Declaration project of the federal government.
The 2021 colourful ceremony was attended by members of NLC, TUC, women organisations and people living with disabilities.
The foundation stone of MINILS was laid on 4th May, 1983 by the late President Shehu Shagari as National Institute for Labour Studies.
Designed to contribute to national development through regular capacity-building, training and retraining of the country’s workforce, organised trade unions, organised employers of labour and government officials on critical labour market issues; MINILS broad aims and objectives include the promotion and enhancement of labour-management relations, best practices and industrial harmony for sustainable economic development through informed education about complex labour market issues. Since its establishment, (MINILS) has trained thousands of workers and employers from both public and private sectors.
The institute was renamed Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MIILS) on 1st May, 1992 in honour of Nigeria’s Labour Leader No. 1, Comrade (Chief) Pa Michael Aitokhiamen Omiunu Imoudu.
